All good things come to an end: a look at Lunch Rush

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A good meal always has an end. And so too does this Lunch Rush column. Today is the last day for the column that shows you where to find your lunch in Ottawa in 40 minutes or less and with a $25 budget.

After 138 restaurant lunch reviews, 4,000+ minutes lunching, 145 weeks of exploring the dining scene in Ottawa, I must choose my top five places to grab lunch or a best bite. A difficult task.

The food truck scene in Ottawa is in its infancy. But Bite This is on the cutting edge, offering, on the street, haute cuisine such as the Cowboy Wannabe of grilled sirloin, roasted peppers, caramelized onions and goat cheese.

My most memorable review is from Mamma Grazzi’s because of my fond memories there. The Brado, which is ravioli stuffed with cheese, garlic and chili peppers is perfect, but it’s the experience that lingers.

For a long time, you couldn’t get decent ribs in Ottawa. The Smoque Shack fixed that issue. The Jamaican jerk chicken is lip-tingling good, the pulled pork has a dash of sweetness and the meaty pork side ribs are extremely tender.

Finally, be pampered with goodness at either Odile or Edgar. Both are run by the same chef-owner, Marysol Foucault, who knows how to treat your taste buds and pamper you with fine food such as the Croque Odile: smoked artisanal ham, creamy béchamel, melted gouda, arugula, thinly sliced apples and toasted walnuts on crusty bread.

Thanks to all of you for sharing this culinary journey with me. Remember, the best lunches are shared with friends.

And that’s my wish for you. Eat. Enjoy life. Spend time with friends and loved ones.